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What is the right MBA for me?


Posted May 16, 2023 09:03

Hi everyone!

First of all congratulation on the initiative, so far it has been really helpful in gaining much-needed knowledge on the MBA world.

My question is related to first, whether or not I should do an MBA and if yes where, and who could support the decision making.

My profile and preferred outcomes is the following. I am 29, with 5 years of experience, scattered between life science business service providers and as a co-founder of a medical device venture. My background is in Biotechnology and design thinking applied to healthcare innovation (Biodesign). Education level is degree plus postgraduate course.

I am looking for a career change, as I have always been in the health sector. However, I am not sure where to go and there are a few sectors I would like to explore. Those are the foodtech and agritech industry, the environmental (related to sustainability), social, and "mission-driven" business sectors, as well as to further explore global and public health sectors, with international organizations such as WHO, UNICEF, or similar. Additionally, the venture building and venture capital areas, are mainly in the sectors mentioned above.

The type of program I am looking for is one with strength in the previously mentioned areas, that can support me in preparing myself and my curriculum for landing a job there. Should be located in Europe, but I do not discard US or Canada (however in US they are also more expensive), have good recommendations regarding ROI, and I am still doubtful regarding length, I am more prone to one year but do not discard the two year ones.

Thank you very much for your time to go through the whole message and for your support.

Best Regards,
Hi everyone!

First of all congratulation on the initiative, so far it has been really helpful in gaining much-needed knowledge on the MBA world.

My question is related to first, whether or not I should do an MBA and if yes where, and who could support the decision making.

My profile and preferred outcomes is the following. I am 29, with 5 years of experience, scattered between life science business service providers and as a co-founder of a medical device venture. My background is in Biotechnology and design thinking applied to healthcare innovation (Biodesign). Education level is degree plus postgraduate course.

I am looking for a career change, as I have always been in the health sector. However, I am not sure where to go and there are a few sectors I would like to explore. Those are the foodtech and agritech industry, the environmental (related to sustainability), social, and "mission-driven" business sectors, as well as to further explore global and public health sectors, with international organizations such as WHO, UNICEF, or similar. Additionally, the venture building and venture capital areas, are mainly in the sectors mentioned above.

The type of program I am looking for is one with strength in the previously mentioned areas, that can support me in preparing myself and my curriculum for landing a job there. Should be located in Europe, but I do not discard US or Canada (however in US they are also more expensive), have good recommendations regarding ROI, and I am still doubtful regarding length, I am more prone to one year but do not discard the two year ones.

Thank you very much for your time to go through the whole message and for your support.

Best Regards,
quote

Posted May 16, 2023 09:09

You wrote about sector but location and role also matter. Its best if you develop a working hypothesis about where you can add the most value: without a clear goal, do we even know than an MBA is the answer? 
You wrote about sector but location and role also matter. Its best if you develop a working hypothesis about where you can add the most value: without a clear goal, do we even know than an MBA is the answer? 
quote

Posted May 16, 2023 09:22

Thanks for answering Duncan! 
If you refer to working locations after the program, then I am agnostic about it being the preference the ones mentioned before for doing the program (Europe tier 1, US and Canada tier 2). Job type and employer would be the primary factor in choosing location for the years right after the program. Regarding role, I think this would be subjective to the employer, but I am open to various possibilities. For example, if finally going through the route of WHO-type organizations, I would not expect the same role as if going through a food tech startup (would be more in management and mid-management level). But I would be comfortable in both, with an emphasis in venture building, portfolio management type of role, and/or mixed commercial and strategy roles. 
I hope this provides more clarity
Thanks for answering Duncan!&nbsp;<br>If you refer to working locations after the program, then I am agnostic about it being the preference the ones mentioned before for doing the program (Europe tier 1, US and Canada tier 2). Job type and employer would be the primary factor in choosing location for the years right after the program. Regarding role, I think this would be subjective to the employer, but I am open to various possibilities. For example, if finally going through the route of WHO-type organizations, I would not expect the same role as if going through a food tech startup (would be more in management and mid-management level). But I would be comfortable in both, with an emphasis in venture building, portfolio management type of role, and/or mixed commercial and strategy roles.&nbsp;<br>I hope this provides more clarity
quote

Posted May 16, 2023 10:01

Yes, this lack of clarity is a major obstacle. Europe is not a single labour market. WHO-type organizations likely recruit more from public policy courses than from MBAs. So, the best school for one goal is not the best for another. Insofar as there are schools that cover several use cases, like LBS or Harvard, they are still not going to be the best for many goals other than the most common finance and consulting use cases, rather as a Swiss army knife is not the best screwdriver or saw.  
Yes, this lack of clarity is a major obstacle. Europe is not a single labour market. WHO-type organizations likely recruit more from public policy courses than from MBAs. So, the best school for one goal is not the best for another. Insofar as there are schools that cover several use cases, like LBS or Harvard, they are still not going to be the best for many goals other than the most common finance and consulting use cases, rather as a Swiss army knife is not the best screwdriver or saw.&nbsp;&nbsp;
quote

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